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Protest at Strathclyde University over job losses

Members of UCU at Strathclyde University will today lobby the university's top decision making body in protest over job losses and plans for reshaping of the university.

The protestors will be outside the Strathclyde University court from 9am as it meets to discuss reshaping plans. The university has stated its intention to get rid of 140 staff, which the union insists must be made on a voluntary basis. Staff are currently considering a voluntary redundancy scheme and the union says discussions on the reshaping of the university at the same time could lead to pressure on certain staff.

The union also complained that the reshaping documents have come before the court without the proper scrutiny of the senate, which is the academic body charged with faculty matters, or the faculties and departments at risk.

Gordon Watson, President of Strathclyde University UCU said: 'We have consulted with the university on the terms of the redundancy scheme and obtained assurances that this would be on a voluntary basis. Therefore the timing of the reshaping plans to coincide with the voluntary redundancy scheme is unhelpful.

'Furthermore, the plans have come before the court without proper scrutiny. We therefore welcome the assurances that these documents will be discussed but not approved at this meeting. However, we are concerned in the way the plans have been put together so far and particularly about the short timescale of the proposed consultation, which will not allow for proper consideration within the university.'

Members of court will be lobbied from 9am at the Collins Building, 22 Richmond Street, Glasgow G1 1XQ where there will be a photo opportunity with the protestors and the UCU Scotland banner.
See a map of the Collins Building here